The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has launched a formal inquiry into the death of Sahil Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana visited the institute on 24 September 2026 to conduct a detailed spot inquiry after the student’s family alleged caste-based discrimination and harassment preceding the death. The matter is also being investigated by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.
Key facts
- Deceased: Shri Sahil Wakode, second-year B.Tech student, Department of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay
- Inquiry conducted by: NCSC Chairman Shri Kishor Makwana on 24 September 2026
- Incident date: 18 September 2026, during mid-semester examination
- Allegations: Caste-based discrimination, harassment, and circumstances preceding death
- Investigating agency: Mumbai Police Crime Branch
- Evidence to be preserved: CCTV footage, electronic records, examination documents, official communications
- NCSC officials present: Dr. Sunil Kumar Babu (Director, State Office Maharashtra), Dr. R. Stalin (Deputy Director, APCR Wing)
What triggered the inquiry
The NCSC stepped in after Sahil Wakode’s family alleged that caste-based discrimination and harassment contributed to the circumstances of his death. The family’s complaint centres on an incident that allegedly occurred on 18 September 2026 during a mid-semester examination, when the student was reportedly found involved in academic malpractice. The inquiry seeks to examine whether institutional procedures, the conduct of faculty members, and the responses of IIT Bombay authorities were fair and non-discriminatory.
What the NCSC examined during the visit
Chairman Makwana visited multiple locations at IIT Bombay to gather information. He held detailed meetings with senior institute officials including the Director, Deputy Director, Registrar, and concerned faculty members. He personally visited the Department of Energy Science and Engineering where Wakode studied, inspected the examination hall where the reported incident took place, and visited the hostel room occupied by the deceased student.
The Chairman also spoke with Wakode’s classmates and fellow students to understand his academic experience and the events preceding his death. The inquiry focused on the sequence of events during and after the mid-semester examination, how the student was questioned, what procedure was followed, the role of faculty and institute authorities, and what grievance redressal mechanisms exist for protecting the rights and welfare of Scheduled Caste students.
Instructions issued to IIT Bombay and police
The NCSC Chairman directed IIT Bombay to preserve and make available all relevant records and materials to investigating authorities, including CCTV footage, electronic evidence, official communications, and examination-related documents. This ensures that evidence is protected for fair examination by the police investigation.
Chairman Makwana also held a high-level meeting with senior police authorities, including the Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police. He directed investigating officers to conduct a fair, impartial, comprehensive and expeditious investigation, examining every relevant allegation strictly on the basis of available evidence and in accordance with law. The police were instructed to ensure proper collection, preservation and examination of all documentary, electronic, forensic and testimonial evidence, and to record statements of students, faculty members, institute officials and other persons with relevant information wherever required by law.
NCSC’s mandate and next steps
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is a constitutional body established to protect and safeguard the rights and interests of Scheduled Caste members. The Commission operates within a statutory framework that allows it to inquire into complaints of discrimination and atrocities against Scheduled Castes.
Chairman Makwana also met with Wakode’s parents and family members, heard their grievances in detail, and assured them that the Commission would examine the matter in accordance with its constitutional and statutory mandate. The Commission will closely monitor the investigation’s progress and take appropriate action within its jurisdiction based on facts and evidence that emerge. The investigating authorities have been directed to furnish a detailed Action Taken Report to the NCSC at the earliest for further examination.
What this means for IITs and educational institutions
The inquiry reinforces that educational institutions must maintain mechanisms ensuring dignity, equality, non-discrimination and effective grievance redressal for all students, particularly those from Scheduled Castes. Institutions are expected to follow fair procedures when addressing academic issues and to protect student welfare. The NCSC’s intervention signals that allegations involving caste-based discrimination in academic settings will be examined rigorously, and that constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Castes must be actively protected in institutional environments.